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Senior tax manager vs tax accountant

The differences between senior tax managers and tax accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a senior tax manager, becoming a tax accountant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior tax manager has an average salary of $92,363, which is higher than the $62,142 average annual salary of a tax accountant.

The top three skills for a senior tax manager include CPA, client relationships and taxation. The most important skills for a tax accountant are CPA, tax audits, and income tax returns.

Senior tax manager vs tax accountant overview

Senior Tax ManagerTax Accountant
Yearly salary$92,363$62,142
Hourly rate$44.41$29.88
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs65,32357,919
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4644
Years of experience84

What does a senior tax manager do?

A senior tax manager is responsible for overseeing an organization's tax responsibilities and ensuring that the accounting processes adhere to the state regulations and local procedures. Senior tax managers evaluate tax documents and prepare tax returns timely and efficiently. They assess the accuracy of tax provisions and implement strategic methods to resolve taxation issues by conducting research on existing tax laws and obligations. A senior tax manager must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in coordinating with clients to inform them of their tax updates and completion.

What does a tax accountant do?

A tax accountant is an individual who works with clients to produce tax return documents that follow tax laws and regulations while keeping them updated on their return information. Tax accountants must determine tax strategies for their clients that may minimize or eliminate tax payments while arranging audits with taxation authorities. They prepare tax documents for different clients, including private companies, non-profit organizations, and private individuals. Tax accountants are also required to obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting and should understand business concepts.

Senior tax manager vs tax accountant salary

Senior tax managers and tax accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Tax ManagerTax Accountant
Average salary$92,363$62,142
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $128,000Between $45,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew HampshireNew York
Best paying companyMicrosoftPacific Investment Management Company LLC
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between senior tax manager and tax accountant education

There are a few differences between a senior tax manager and a tax accountant in terms of educational background:

Senior Tax ManagerTax Accountant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior tax manager vs tax accountant demographics

Here are the differences between senior tax managers' and tax accountants' demographics:

Senior Tax ManagerTax Accountant
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 62.2% Female, 37.8%Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%7%

Differences between senior tax manager and tax accountant duties and responsibilities

Senior tax manager example responsibilities.

  • Prepare and review returns, assist accounting in establishing practices, manage SOX compliance and controls.
  • Manage information requests from IRS audit team and participate in discussions regarding audit procedures, propose adjustments and issue resolutions.
  • Experience on Onesource, Gosystem and Corptax
  • Review all ASC 740/FIN 48 reporting for office.
  • Implement OneSource tax compliance software, improving various process initiatives.
  • Involve in all aspects of tax accounting: monthly close process, tax provision per ASC 740 and journal entries.
  • Show more

Tax accountant example responsibilities.

  • Utilize QuickBooks to manage client data and prepare necessary financial statements.
  • Manage and prepare sales and use tax account reconciliations and property tax liability accounts and prepare corresponding journal entries.
  • Prepared/Review financial statements according to GAAP and propose adjusting entries for clients.
  • Prepare tax returns for corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations and individuals.
  • Work with various accounting departments, with duties such as account reconciliations, customer service, and administrative/clerical positions.
  • SAP, ONESOURCE, YESWIN, and BSAEfiling
  • Show more

Senior tax manager vs tax accountant skills

Common senior tax manager skills
  • CPA, 18%
  • Client Relationships, 7%
  • Taxation, 5%
  • Tax Research, 5%
  • Tax Issues, 5%
  • Excellent Client, 4%
Common tax accountant skills
  • CPA, 9%
  • Tax Audits, 4%
  • Income Tax Returns, 4%
  • Tax Research, 4%
  • Reconciliations, 4%
  • Financial Statements, 4%

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